296
OP THE GRAVEL AND STONE.
that though this quantity might be too small to haveany sensible effect in dissolving a stone in the bladder,yet it may very probably prevent its growth.
When a stone is formed in the bladder, the doctorrecommends Spanish soap, and oyster or cockle shelllime-water,* to be taken in the following manner:The patient must swallow every day, in any form thatis least disagreeable, an ounce of the internal part ofAlicant soap, and drink three or four English pints ofoyster or oockle shell lime-water; the soap is to be di-vided into three doses; the largest to be taken fastingin the morning early, the second at noon, and the thirdat seven in the evening, drinking above each dose alarge draught of the lime-water; the remainder of whichhe may take any time betwixt dinner and supper, in-stead of other liquors.
The patient should begin with a smaller quantity ofthe lime-water and soap than that mentioned above; atfirst an English pint of the former, and three drachmsof the latter may be taken daily; this quantity, how-ever, he may increase by degrees, and ought to perse-vere in the use of these medicines, especially if he findsany abatement of his complaints, for several months;nay, if the stone be very large, for years. It may like-wise be proper for the patient, if he be severely pained,not only to begin with the soap and lime-water insmall quantities, but to take the second or third lime-water instead of the first. However, after he has beenfor some time accustomed to these medicines, he maynot only take the first water, but if he finds he caneasily bear it, heighten its dissolving power still moreby pouring it a second time on fresh calcined shells.The caustic alcali or soap lees, is the medicine chieflyin vogue at present for the stone; it is of a very acridnature, and ought therefore to be given in some gelati-nous or mucilaginous liquor, as veal broth, new inilk,linseed tea, a solution of gum arabic, or a decoction ofmarsh-mallow roots; the patient must begin with saiall
* See Appendix, Lime-Water.